Life Cycle Assessment, Resource Efficiency

44M0572

Master

English

5.0

only summer term

1 semester

Life cycle analysis (also known as life cycle assessment or LCA) is a systematic analysis of the potential environmental impacts and energy balance of products throughout their life cycle. As part of the seminar, students are empowered to prepare a life cycle assessment based on a case study. Ideally in cooperation with a practice partner. In addition, concepts are developed around the resource efficiency of products and services. Different sets of ecological indicators are examined, including the consideration of CO2 or land use.

Introduction 

Thematic orientation and contents of the module
Content-related processing framework of the respective product group
Processing interests of the module participants - initial ideas
Introduction to resource efficiency

Background and development of the topic of resource efficiency
Overview of tools for eco- and resource efficiency
Introduction to software (e.g. Umberto) and databases (e.g. ECOINVENT)
Criteria for assessing resource efficiency
Analysis 

 Analysis and assessment of products, services and/or value chains
Calculation of ecological impacts expressed in CO2 or land use or biodiversity losses of products and services based on selected case studies using the provided software
In-depth case studies 

Selection of case studies (products) for in-depth analysis of life cycle resource use, in case in living labs (directly used for primary data collection)
Implementation of the case studies in a seminar paper
Presentation of results in small groups
Preparation of the results in semester group
Presentation and discussion of the results from the case studies (possibly in combination with an excursion)
Documentation of the case study

The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

In the course of the semester, a case study is prepared, analyzed and discussed within the framework of a case study incl. a written paper. Ideally in cooperation with a practice partner. Focus on the social or economic dimension of supply chain management.

• Case analysis, written

In the course of the semester, a life cycle assessment will be prepared, which is then to be explained, analyzed and discussed within the framework of a case study incl. written elaboration. Ideally in cooperation with a practice partner.

The module can be linked to the project modules Project A and Project B or can form a building block in this project work. 

Case Study, written: ca. 13-15 pages

Basic knowledge of natural sciences is recommended in this model and helpful for working through the case studies.

Students know the methods and concepts of life cycle assessment for the analysis and evaluation of products and services and are aware of the most important 5 steps (incl. critical review).
Students know the advantages and disadvantages of life cycle assessment and can evaluate them.

Students create extensive sensitivity analyses and scenarios based on their own case study in order to analyze and characterize the most important reduction potentials in an ecological sense.
Students create a criteria catalog for the improvement of ecological impact based on their own case study and therefore create a deeper understanding of focused assessment methods.

Students will work in multi-disciplinary teams and will collect (if possible) primary date for their case studies
Within the module case study problems addressed to the students by the practice will be evaluated (it is also possible that the students also conduct their own case studies)
Therefore presentation and discussion techniques will be practiced

Through case study work, existing data sets can be verified and expanded or new data sets can be empirically collected.

Students will be able to identify and close their own knowledge gaps, critically reflect on their work results and approach.
The students will be empowered to communicate the module contents in appropriate technical language (in technical english), to transfer the application of the taught methods to the selected case studies.
Cooperative working will also be further practiced within the framework of the module.
Students will be able to independently coordinate their work and time allocation within the framework of the case study and bring it to a successful conclusion on their own responsibility.
Students present their results in a plenary session as part of peer feedback.
Students will present their case study results and there sensitivity analysis and improvement within workshops with practice (ideally).

Students are empowered to research and prepare scientific facts and integrate them into their own case study work.
Further due to discussions with practice, the projects will interact with real modeling problems and further develop their case studies.

• Speck, Melanie

• Speck, Melanie